Home Education VS Public Education
A HOME EDUCATION IS
FOR NUTURING LEARNING,
DEVELOPING A GOOD CHARACTER,
AND POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS
SO THEY CAN
INSPIRE THE WORLD
WITH THEIR INDIVIDUALITY!
SCHOOL IS FOR LEARNING,
NOT FOR SOCIALIZATION.
PUBLIC SCHOOL DEVELOPS
EDUCATED CITIZENS
SO THEY CAN BE
A PART OF THE WORLD
WITH THEIR CONFORMITY.
While evaluating our children's education, we discussed it with THEM. These are the answers THEY came up with, and what we discussed as being positives and negatives of a Home Education versus a Public Education.
1. THE MORNING LINEUP
What I DO Like About Home School
Wake up when we are ready, and can stay up later at night. There is no line for the bus, bathroom, lunch line... We’re home!
What I DON’T Like About Public School
I wake up early to catch the bus, and never stay up late. At school, I wait in line for everything. I’m not at home.
What I DON’T Like About Home School
There is no specific schedule. [I can make one! While we need a schedule, it's great to be flexible.]
What I DO Like About Public School
I rely on a schedule. [But we have to stick to it. If I miss a day or week, it can be hard to catch up.]
2. BEING MYSELF
What I DO Like About Home School
Pajama days! Not worrying about what we look like, what we wear, or what others might think about us.
What I DON’T Like About Public School
I worry if I have the right clothes, if my hairstyle is okay, and what others think about me. I can’t always be myself.
What I DON’T Like About Home School
Is it normal? [Amongst my friends it is! People have been homeschooled and tutored for centuries! It should be normal to focus on the individual student’s education and a strong family lifestyle.]
What I DO Like About Public School
It’s normal. [Is it normal to work so hard to be average? Is it normal to send your children to be taken care of by someone else? Mandatory public school has only been available in the USA for one century. It was rooted in homeschool style, then became streamlined. It was designed to care for the mass population of children, at a time when mothers joined the workforce while the fathers went off to war.]
3. FRIENDSHIPS
What I DO Like About Home School
Teacher makes sure we make good friendships that are grown with guidance of faith and morality. We learn how to be a good friend. No bullies allowed.
What I DON’T Like About Public School
My classmates aren’t always good friends, there are bullies, and no one shares or learns about their faith. The teacher is there to teach us world knowledge, not to help us make friends.
What I DON’T Like About Home School
I don’t get to see my friends every day. [But it allows me to concentrate on my school work. I do see them every week at gym, lessons, club… I also spend lots of time with my family!]
What I DO Like About Public School
I see my friends every day. [But we’re not allowed to talk and play together until recess. They usually don’t include my siblings.]
4. MY TEACHER
What I DO Like About Home School
We like having our Mother as our teacher! She always takes time to encourage us, help us, discipline us, and hug us when needed.
What I DON’T Like About Public School
My teacher cannot discipline me, love me, hug me, or constantly check if my life is going well. My teacher is not my parent.
What I DON’T Like About Home School
My mom is always watching me. [But she’s here to help me, and cares that I succeed.]
What I DO Like About Public School
My teacher doesn’t watch everything I do. [But I wish I could have more of his/her attention.]
5. MY EFFORT
What I DO Like About Home School
We are graded based on our efforts. When I don’t understand, we stop on that problem until I do. I ask questions all the time and learn so much more!
What I DON’T Like About Public School
We are graded based on our paperwork. When I don’t understand, my work is marked wrong and the class moves on. I am embarrassed to say and admit that “I don’t get it.”
What I DON’T Like About Home School
I wish I didn't have to do bookwork. [But books and reading are an essential to learning. Perhaps I could switch it up and visit the library, go online, or watch a video for similar information?]
What I DO Like About Public School
I like all the resources the public school has. [But these resources are available to everyone, including homeschoolers, when needed. Many schools don't have any more resources than the average homeschooler.]
6. LEARNING
What I DO Like About Home School
We like Life Learning. Though we have book lessons, we also learn in the car, at the store, and more. I share my ideas and we do those too!
What I DON’T Like About Public School
I Book Learn. The government and school chooses my books and activities. It is limited learning. My faith is not included or considered.
What I DON’T Like About Home School
It’s hard to do group activities. [But it’s a great reason to call up my friends to come over! We meet new people all the time, and have time to chit chat and develop new friendships.]
What I DO Like About Public School
We can do group activities! [While I don’t get paired up with my friends, it is nice to meet new people. But we can only talk about the project, so it is hard to develop long-lasting friendships.]
7. CLASS
What I DO Like About Home School
We have lots of adventures. Field trips, games, movies, nature walks, vacations, errands, and visits. We sit in the kitchen, on the couch, on the deck, in the grass - or walk around if we want.
What I DON’T Like About Public School
I have long hours of class time. I cannot just decide to do something else, or leave on an adventure. I feel trapped. I am sore from sitting in my hard desk all day, every day.
What I DON’T Like About Home School
I can be easily distracted by little children and toys I would like to play with. [But I could go to another room to study.]
What I DO Like About Public School
There are no little kids or toys to distract me. [But sometimes there are kids in my class that are distracting.]
8. CURRICULUM
What I DO Like About Home School
My curriculum is chosen just for me. My books and activities are chosen for my learning style and level of understanding. I don’t belong to a “Grade.”
What I DON’T Like About Public School
I am in grade #. I learn what everyone else my age learns. Everyone has the same level books for every subject, whether I am an average, slow or advanced learner.
What I DO Like About Home School
There is no “homework.” When our school day is done, so are we. We pick up where we left off the next day. We can also “skip ahead” if we need to be challenged.
What I DON’T Like About Public School
I always have homework. After school I have one to four hours worth. My family can’t always help me. If I don’t get it done, I fall behind at school or score poorly. It’s a big challenge to keep up.
9. FAMILY TIME
What I DO Like About Home School
We have more family time. We take “good weather days” off. Our family is close and we are good at being friends with kids of ALL ages. We often learn by helping each other.
What I DON’T Like About Public School
When I get home, family time limited because of afterschool activities, chores, homework, errands and going to bed early. It’s hard spending so much time apart and being busy all the time.
What I DON’T Like About Home School
We have to do chores and help with the little ones. [But I like being a helper and not spending a whole evening doing chores instead of having family time. When I’m older I can babysit during the day to make money, and it’s fun especially if I don’t have any siblings younger than me.]
What I DO Like About Public School
We don’t do chores or take care of little ones at school. [But I still have chores when I get home. I would also like to have time to play with little kids, especially if I don’t have siblings of my own.]
After a long time evaluating the pros and cons of education, there was no reason to choose the public school system for our children, and they had no desire to attend it. All we could find were the abundant reasons we decided to home educate our children in the first place.
I encourage you to make a list of your own, or print this list - and post it on your homeschool room wall as a reminder for those tough days when we need reminding! :)
